Alleged sex abuse by ministers of church; Pope expresses pain, shame

Pope Francis perturbed over the alleged sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic Church in Chile, sought forgiveness.

He said:"Here I feel bound to express my pain and shame at the irreparable damage caused to children by some ministers of the Church."

He was addressing at the presidential palace in the presence of President Michelle Bachelet.

"I am one with my brother bishops, for it is right to ask for forgiveness and make every effort to support the victims, even as we commit ourselves to ensuring that such things do not happen again," he said.

Pope Francis conducted Mass for tens of thousands of people in the capital's sprawling Parque O'Higgins.